So after France were crowned Grand Slam champions of 2022, three men are in the running to be named Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship.
Les Bleus completed the clean sweep with a win over England at the Stade de France on Super Saturday, their 25-13 win enough to take the title that would have gone Ireland’s way if they had been beaten.
And it is fitting that the top two in the standings provide the three nominees to follow in the footsteps of Scotland’s Hamish Watson as Player of the Championship.
From France come two nominees, captain Antoine Dupont and No.8 Grégory Alldritt, while their challenger from Ireland is flanker Josh van der Flier.
Dupont won this title in 2020, becoming the first Frenchman to do so. He will now look to follow in the footsteps of Stuart Hogg and Brian O’Driscoll in winning the award on multiple occasions.
The scrum-half took over the French captaincy in the autumn and has led Les Bleus to eight successive victories including five in this Championship.
Tries against Ireland and England proved crucial to France’s success, while his all-round game has been at the heartbeat of this French side.
He faces competition from compatriot Alldritt, the man who delivered the offload to Dupont for the try that sealed the Slam.
The No.8 epitomised everything that France did well in this Championship, the go-to carrier in the pack, a menace at every breakdown and a dominant force on the gain line.
He was at the forefront of France’s forward effort and played the most minutes of anyone in the French pack.
The final nominee comes from Ireland, flanker Van der Flier having stepped up yet again in 2022. While Ireland are overflowing with riches in the back row, the Leinster flanker just keeps getting better.
With two tries to his name, against France and Scotland, he showed what he can do from an attacking perspective, while his carrying has taken on even greater purpose this year.
And defensively, Van der Flier remains among the very best, racking up the tackles while he was the only Irishman to play every minute of the Championship.
So now it is up to you the fans. Voting will close on Wednesday so pick your favourite and have a say in the 2022 Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship.
